The Will County Sheriff's Office created the Special Operations Group ( S.O.G. ) in November 1984. This special response group, ( commonly referred to as a SWAT team ) is utilized in high-risk situations including , but not limited to:

Sniper Situations

Hostage/Barricaded Subjects

Acts of Terrorism

Searches and Service of Warrants on potentially dangerous subjects

VIP protection and security

Investigation support missions for intelligence

The S.O.G. has two components. The first component consists of 25 tactical personnel including a paramedic. They use specialized training with tactics and equipment to achieve, if at all possible, a non-violent solution to a high-risk incident. The second component of the group is composed of 10 members, who use specialized training to resolve a hostage/barricaded incident through negotiations.

Since 1984, the S.O.G. has been called upon to handle over 50 high-risk incidents where traditional police methods might have been utilized by other police jurisdictions within and outside the County of Will.